Fisherman Finds Whale Vomit That Turns Him Into A Millionaire

Most people who encounter a rock-like blob on a beach will likely walk by it, perhaps even steer clear of it, but a fisherman who saw just that in southern Thailand grabbed it up and now he is a millionaire.

60-year-old Naris Suwannasang called up his cousin to help him bring the 220 pounds of substance home to examine them further. They realized what they had weren't stones rather it was whale vomit. That might be gross to some, but whale vomit, also known as ambergris, is actually worth a fortune. It contains an odorless alcohol that is used in perfumes to make their scent last longer. After testing the material by burning a small amount with a lighter, it gave off a tell-tale musky smell, which meant it was indeed ambergris, and that amount of it is likely worth millions of dollars.

It's one of the largest amounts of ambergris ever found and Naris already has an offer from a businessman willing to pay $15,000 per pound, totaling $3.1 million, depending on the quality of the fisherman's find. Before finding the ambergris, Naris had been making about $625 a month. He plans to go to the police so his discovery is on record in case anyone tries to steal it.

If you're interested in ambergris, it comes from sperm whales since they eat a ton of squid and octopus. Scientists think ambergris is produced to make it easier for a whale to digest the shells and beaks from what they've eaten.

In 2016, three Omani fishermen found 176 pounds of ambergris and sold it for $3 million.

Photo: Getty Images


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